I did my open water, refresher, and advanced scuba courses with Harbor Dive and it was fantastic. SHOP The staff at the shop are very knowledgeable and can literally answer any question you have. They also have high end equipment for sale and rent. I ended up buying my Suunto D5 dive watch here that I can't stop wearing! I bought all my personal gear here and very happy with it. I have always rented the rest of the gear and they have worked great for me. You can tell that their equipment is well taken care of hence why I keep getting my gear from here. COURSES Michael was the instructor for all my courses and always went above and beyond to make sure you were confident and SAFE in the water. He answers any questions you have and you can tell he has a lot of knowledge and experience about diving that he shares. It was also nice to know that you were diving with a PRO/S. ADVANCED OPEN WATER The courses were always well organized from start to finish. You knew what you were doing for each hour of the day give and take some delays. This information was provided to you prior to the course as PDF. I did my advanced course at San Carlos Beach, Monterey. The day starts at 7 AM and by the time you get there, Michael and staff have already began setting up a big green tent that you cannot miss from the water. They even brought coolers full of food, snacks, and drinks! There are also scuba shops and restaurants within walking distance that you can get to. By 8 AM you are expected to be suited up and have already come up with a dive plan, which the instructor goes over with the group. This dive plan happened every time before every dive ensuring that everyone was in sync. When everyone is in the water, you gather at one spot on the surface and then we all descend together keeping the group together. This was the same when we were in the water, we were a school of divers following the instructors until we ascended. Of course during the navigation dive we were expected to navigate a square leading us back to our starting point with our dive buddy. This was a great learning experience. There was also an extra instructor that hovered around us which was nice. 2 instructors for 6 people. The five dives that we did were the performance buoyancy, deep dive, multi level, navigation, and fish identification dive. Overall it's always enjoyable diving with Michael and Harbor Dive staff and look forward to doing more dives with them. I would highly recommend to anyone! read more

I received my Open Water certification in 2012 with Harbor Dive in Monterey. In January, I decided to do a Refresher after a period not diving. My experience was even better the second time around! The assistance from Michael and Nina was great. They were knowledgeable and courteous. At the pool, the instructor was polite and proficient and helped me to get reacquainted with the gear and the basic skills that are necessary to know in order to dive safely. I enjoyed being in the water again so much, that after the class I went back to the shop and ask about fun dives and other possible classes. I spoke with Michael, and his passion for diving reminded me just how much I have missed it! I decided to sign up for the Advanced Open Water class for the following weekend before I left. In Monterey, conditions can be challenging but for me that is part of the fun. Michael was the Instructor for my Advanced class. It had been several years since I dove Monterey, so I was a little nervous. He was helpful, totally professional and patient. Monterey is not warm water diving like Mexico or the Bahamas, or even Hawaii. Safety is his Number 1 priority, so it is absolutely necessary to listen and follow all instructions and to ask for help if you need it. And... IT WAS AMAZING!!! Up next, Dry Suit certification! read more

I got my advanced open water and enriched air certifications with Harbor Dive. They made the trip enjoyable for my fellow student and me, handled the special request to do two certifications in one weekend (allowed by PADI standards since one only requires lab work), and knew when to switch from a fun-loving demeanor to a stern one to emphasize important safety information. I was impressed enough with Harbor Dive that they've become my local shop. I buy much of my equipment from them because of their expertise and help navigating choices; I go with them for fun dives; and I chose them for my divemaster internship. AFAIK, Harbor Dive the oldest shop in the area (30yrs); they've survived due to their professionalism and expertise. read more

Had a fantastic time getting part of my certification done with Harbor Dive Center. The staff here is patient and knowledgeable, and they also have great gear in the shop. Ended up finishing my open water dives in Tulum, and it was a breeze thank to the thoughtful instructions from Harbor Dive. Going to definitely go dive with them in Monterey, which I've heard is great :) read more

An extremely good experience, especially for classes. Michael S. was my instructor and throughout the entire class he was helpful and objective about everything from gear to answering questions during confined dive sessions. He was very focused on safety and made sure that everyone was 100% clear on everything before continuing. He was also just a fun dude. That really makes everything much better. Some of the other reviews express dismay at having to purchase some personal gear (mask+snorkel+fins) at the start. Yes, that does add a bit of expense but frankly at least for a scuba mask fit is so important that there's no way they could offer rentals that will provide you a safe, comfortable experience. Michael and the shop staff was very helpful in the shop as well, helping me select great gear and carefully explaining the different choices. Most of what they sell is very high quality so do expect to pay quite a bit. That said, a cursory check online shows their prices are reasonable for what they carry. All in all, definitely recommend. read more

Please note: This is an addendum to a very critical review I wrote about Harbor Dive on 1/18/18. I am adding this more positive review because Harbor Dive's owner, Michael Short, recently reached out to me to point out a few factual errors. During our correspondence, Michael's approach was both professional and open-minded. From all indications, Harbor Dive took my criticisms seriously, and is trying to correct those they believe they can. Therefore, although I stand behind most of my earlier points, a few need revising. As follows: First, to the factual corrections: In my review, I stated that Harbor Dive charged for tank refills at twice the rate of a competitor in Monterey (Breakwater Dive Shop). Michael assured me that Harbor's rate is nearly the same ($7.50 per refill vs. $6.00 at Breakwater), and in our case we would not have been charged for tank refills anyway. I also criticized the policy, practiced by Harbor and other shops in the S.F. Bay Area, to require new divers to buy a lot of gear: not only mask and snorkel but also fins, gloves and cold-water booties--a package that, if you follow Harbor's recommendations, starts at $400. Michael pointed out that Harbor does offer cheaper gear packages starting at $190. We also suffered from some management stumbles that resulted in a lost wet suit reservation and some overcharges (which were quickly corrected). Michael said that troubles like these have been resolved by some staff changes. I then pointed out some hydrological differences of opinion between Harbor and Breakwater Dive about how quickly wetsuits decay when exposed to pool conditions. In the view of Michael (and other Bay Area dive shops), this difference requires frequent wet suit purchases, and thus costly wet suit rentals; in Breakwater's view, it does not. I will leave it to you and these shops to sort this out. Overall, the main issue I want to revise is the essential thrust of my earlier review, which suggested that Harbor Dive's customer service leaves a lot to be desired. If the good faith efforts that Michael Short made on my behalf are any indication of how Harbor Dive handles customers in the future, this shop is worth your consideration. After all, as I said even in my moment of frustration, it is clear that Harbor Dive knows its stuff when it comes to diving. And that isn't something to take lightly. read more

If you want your first scuba diving experience to be the most memorable one, go to Harbor Dive. Scuba diving was something I always wanted to do but was scared of getting under the water. I had never ever thought about getting certified in scuba diving. Two weeks later, now I am a certified diver. Jack helped me find the right gear, all of which was great quality and really affordable. I signed up for the group pool class initially. Scuba diving being a completely new sport for me and totally out of my comfort zone, it took me a while to get the breathing technique. I literally wanted to stop after every breath. I later decided to take a private lesson with Michael and finished all the required skills for the certification. This was the best decision ever. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor; Michael is extremely patient, very knowledgeable and will work with your pace. Moreover, he has an amazing ability to make you feel confident about your dives and relax under water. I finished the private lesson within 4 hrs and was ready for my open water dive. We dove in Meeks Bay this weekend; saw a school of fish, lots of crawdad, picked up some trash, rescued a beautiful hat and a pair of sunglasses. This was definitely by far the most memorable experience ever. I am coming back to Harbor Dive to continue my education and signing up to become an advanced diver! A big thank you to Michael, Jack and Session! read more

If you're trying to decide where to go - look no further! Awesome local dive shop! Highly recommend for beginners or experienced divers. Very talented dive masters and staff! We opted for the group lessons for the confined dives (near by the shop) and private lessons for the open water dives (in Monterey, CA). We had to change our scheduled open water dive a couple times due to our personal schedule conflicts and Harbor Dive was more than accommodating. They were flexible, friendly, and understanding even with short notice. For our private lessons, they made the weekend we ultimately preferred work for us by arranging dive masters with only a couple days notice. Our schedule was hard to lock down in advance and they helped make it happen. It was fantastic! Michael is knowledgable, helpful, and patient. He's great at keeping things professional but fun and the jokes aren't too bad ;-) Pat was our instructor for the open water dives in Monterey along with Stephanie (dive master in training). Pat was FANTASTIC and has been diving for many years in tons of locations. Stephanie was great, very knowledgable, and fun. She also took the extra time to prepare hot coco, coffee, and warm meals for us after our dives. A quality operation all around. read more

What great service and knowledge. I have been diving for almost 30 years and the dive boot fitting I got from Michael was the most outstanding personal attention I've ever received. It was like I was buying a $500 shoe. He had me try on several pairs, walk around, put on my fins, unbelievable. I've just returned from a dive trip and the booties really added to my experience. Sounds outrageous and it was. Thank you Michael and Harbor Dive Center read more

I decided to tick off a bucket-list item and get PADI certified. Googled around, settled on Harbor Dive Center because their schedule was easy to find online and they were very helpful when I called them with questions. 3 weeks later, I am officially certified and looking forward to future trips! Very pleased I chose Harbor Dive, which I learned later has a solid reputation for having the best instructors and best rental gear during certification. Total out-of-pocket cost I had to get the certification was a little over $1k, which includes several pieces of quality dive gear I'll use for years to come. Not bad IMO. Here's how it works: 1. Go to their website and check out the info/schedule; 2. Call and confirm availability; 3. Visit Harbor Dive Center to buy a few pieces of equipment (mask/snorkel, boots, gloves, fins) and get fitted for your wetsuit; 4. Do the PADI e-learning course (they say it takes 10+ hours but I did it in about 4 by fast-forwarding thru the slow parts of the videos); 5. Go to the day-long confined water session at the pool which is the most skills-intensive portion, 6. Go to the 2-day-long open water dives in Monterey. Done! read more

My husband and I did our Refresher course and our Advanced Open Water Course with Harbor Dive. We had never dove with them before and our only dive experience was getting our Open Water certification in Hawaii, so very different conditions than in Monterey! First, everyone in the shop was so nice about answering all our questions leading up to our course, so if you're confused or unsure about something, don't hesitate to ask. They are very patient and kind when getting back to you about all your questions. Our instructor was Michael and we had an assistant instructor, Mike, since there were 6 of us doing the course. The guys were super nice, and relaxed. They answered all the questions we had, even the dumb ones with patience and humor. They even were kind enough to provide snacks and a big thing of drinking water for us as well as hot water for coffee and cocoa. By the end of the weekend we both felt like much more capable and independent divers and learned a lot from Mike and Michael. I learned how to manage my own dive rather than just follow an instructor and assume that they know what's best for me and my buddy, and to take responsibility for my own safety. This was such a cool learning experience since my husband and I plan on diving a lot in the future and want to become stronger divers. I would say this course might not be a good fit for people who are not prepared to dive and be responsible for their own safety. My husband and I, and another buddy in the course took the refresher course the weekend before and I'm so glad we did! I felt so much more prepared and ready to go on the first day of our Open Water dives. So I would definitely recommend doing the refresher if you haven't dove in a bit and I would also recommend making sure that you and your dive buddy are on the same page. Sticking together and helping each other is really important and made for a much more enjoyable experience for us. The conditions were pretty good--very little waves and almost no current. The beach has some big rocks but those can be easily avoided by entering and exiting the water where your instructor tells you to. The visibility was about 15-30 feet and varying from Saturday to Sunday and from all of us students kicking up sand every time we needed to stop and practice a skill, but I still felt safe while relying on my buddies and my training, and with our instructors near by. We were so tired by the end of the first day and went to bed at 7:30pm! :) But we got to the beach early Sunday for our second day of dives and I'm so glad we didn't give up! 3 of our 6 buddies didn't show up for the second day, so we had a small group for our last 2 dives, the deep water and the Fish Identification dives. And they were two AMAZING dives! I had a ton of fun and left the water with a HUGE smile on my face having achieved my Advanced certification. We got to see fish, crabs, nudybranchs and even an egg case belonging to a shark! So cool!!! I was actually in the same course as Tina Z. who posted a negative review of the same weekend. I was really sad to read that she had such a negative experience of the weekend. But at least you can get a balanced variety of perspectives on the experience. Anyways, we are really looking forward to diving with Harbor Dive again in the future and really appreciated the amazing experience they provided for us. Thanks again! read more

Shout-out to Harbor Dive! I recently completed my confined water dive class with Harbor Dive Center and had a wonderful experience -- I left feeling confident and well-equipped for the open water. Session was my instructor for the confined water class and did an excellent job throughout the day. Before we got in the water there was an extensive briefing to help us review key learnings and get familiar with the equipment. Any anxieties I had about diving were gone before we even left the shop. In the pool we went through all the skills until we had mastered them. Session was super patient and we debriefed after every skill to review. By the end I was ready to dive on in for my open water certification! I ended up doing my open water dives in Cabo San Lucas but thanks to Harbor Dive was extremely well prepared and nailed all of my skills on the first try. Harbor Dive is an exceptional shop and I highly recommend anyone interested in diving start their journey here. The staff are thoughtful and prioritize safety and skill proficiency to ensure their students are prepared for any conditions. Diving is a tough sport but thanks to my A+ introduction I'm excited to continue my underwater explorations. I look forward to learning and diving with Harbor Dive in Monterey soon :) read more

The instructors are fantastic. Michael was super clear and made sure we knew our course work before the pool. The pool instruction really set me up perfectly for the 2 days in Monterey with another instructor Dev. Both Michael and Dev made me feel safe and confident. Highly recommend Harbor Dive !! read more

We did our pool class with Dev at Harbor Dive! We had the most amazing time and learned a lot too. Would highly recommend to anyone who's looking to get dive certified! Everything was super easy and seamless. Dev taught us everything we needed to know before we went to Thailand for our OW dives read more

My friend and I needed to get SCUBA certified for an upcoming trip and we were both quite nervous about it. After doing some research, Harbor Dive was the best in categories of price, class schedule, and positive reviews. We signed up via a quick phone call and a few emails back and forth- all exchanges full of helpful details. I had some potential scheduling issues and they were open to being flexible and accommodating. I had to do a fitting prior to the swimming pool day and purchased ~$500 of equipment, made easy by Nina's straightforward aid. We were nervous for our dives but there was a lot of help from all the instructors whenever anyone was struggling with a skill, which they were quick to spot. I had a lot of trust in the whole team and felt safe, even in the totally foreign underwater environment at 30 ft deep in Monterey. SCUBA diving was more physical than I expected and the pool day + certifying dive weekend tired me out but was an amazing, immersive experience. We were surprised at how much we learned and how many skills we mastered in such a short span. Thanks to Michael and co! Give Butch chest scratches! read more

I completed my PADI certification with Michael and his team from Harbor Dive last weekend in Monterey and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Michael is extremely knowledgeable and no-nonsense, making sure that everyone has the skills needed to have a SAFE and enjoyable scuba experience. I was actually in the same group as the person who gave a 2-star review on 11/15/15, and I think that she should take the blame for not researching what she was getting herself into, and not blame Harbor Dive for her experience. My husband and I inquired from the beginning about what would be required to complete the certification and were left with no surprises - nothing but fun and a sense of accomplishment (and yes, a few bucks poorer - certification is not cheap but is ABSOLUTELY worth the investment - the potential for our life vacations has skyrocketed). If you want to be confident in your abilities to have a safe and fun diving career, start with Harbor Dive - they're top notch quality and I'd recommend them to anyone. read more

My fiancé googled scuba lessons and a Harbor Dive popped up. So we booked lessons with them, without further searching other places, and I'm so happy we went with them! The instructor Michael assisted us in our fittings for all of the gear we needed (for rental and for purchase). They were also very accommodating when it came to paying for items closer to our session date. Our first lesson consisted of live tutorials from Michael, to assemble and disassemble the oxygen tank and regulator. It also included a quiz which was very nice to review the key concepts from the eLearning. We then traveled to a local high school pool to swim and practice defending, buoyancy, mask recovery, etc. I was very discouraged because I was having a hard time adjusting to breathing ONLY through my mouth, my goggles kept getting foggy, and honestly I was a bit scared. Michael was accompanied by two other instructors. When I was running behind on the lessons, I was able to complete them when I was more prepared and comfortable with another instructor, Dave. Fast forward to our open dive, we went up to Meeks Bay in Lake Tahoe. I was nauseous and I didn't feel confident in diving, so I sat out for a few hours. Michael was very prepared and recommended some remedies for me (which he had products on hand), and I was ready to dive about an hour afterwards. I was a bit nervous when going into the water, the current was strong and I didn't know what to expect. Michael partnered me with Dave again so I can catch up on the lessons I missed. I really appreciate the calmness, focused direction, and patience they had with me. Both Michael and Dave are great teachers. They speak with a very calm voice and stress the importance of safety for you and your gear. I'm really glad my fiancé signed us up to complete our lessons with them. From my experience, I'd recommend going to them if your interested in becoming scuba certified. They are very professional & friendly. Of course they expect you to pay attention when they are discussing what to expect, but Anything you have a question with, they'll answer! They really focus on educating as well. All the staff were wonderful. read more

Completed advanced certification this past weekend in Monterey and while learning scuba isn't always easy, Michael and his team of dive pro's are always there to encourage and inspire us through the entire learning process. Cool thing about this whole learning process is that there isn't much hand holding. They teach by example how to be Real divers. We pick up our own rental gear, haul our own gear to the site, and are responsible for getting our tanks filled between dives. We carry our own gear to the boat or to the beach, we hook up our own gear and are responsible for the assembly and function. We are responsible for getting to the boat on time. It's part of the experience that makes it so amazing and empowering. If you are not accustomed to doing things for yourself and would prefer a concierge resort dive service that does everything for you, check out another place perhaps in the city. This its the Real Deal. This is why I chose Harbor Dive and I have not been let down :) And BTW, I feel completely safe and secure with Michael and his instructors, as well as the equipment I'm renting from harbor dive. It is top notch! Prices are great, it all fits like a glove, and their advice has Never steered me wrong. I couldn't be happier exploring my new passion and putting my trust with this Very qualified dive shop and crew. They make it fun! *(Side note): regarding a recent review by M. Kiera W. This review is COMPLETE BS. I was there, this same weekend. It's a slanderous review by a person who is upset they didn't finish the certification and taking it out on harbor dive. Not at all fair to this responsible and reputable dive shop, not to mention SO inaccurate it's almost comical. read more

Love this place! :-) Did the both the pool + open water dives for my padi open water cert through this shop. Had Michael and Thomas for the pool session and then Dev and Thomas for the open water dives the following weekend. They're all really fun, nice and knowledgeable. I got my certification really last minute before I left for a vacation in Hawaii, and I felt like the Monterey open water dives prepared me reaaaaally really well and I had a lot of fun in the process. also they have a really cute dog read more

The poeple that run the shop and the instructors are all incredibly helpful, professional and a blast to spend a few weekends with while earning your certifications. Monterrey can be a little intimidating to dive at, but the Harbor Dive crew takes it slow and makes sure you're safe and ready for anything. Great experience, highly recommended. read more

Less than a month ago I knew nothing about diving other than my daughter wanted to get "certified" for a camp. I reached out to Harbor Dive Center and scheduled an appointment. Nina was awesome, spent an hour with us, showed us gear, fitted us, and told us what to expect. Michael supervised our training in the pool, made what seemed complex more straight forward and was a great introductory instructor. This past weekend, Dev led my daughter and me on 4 dives over two days each building on the previous. While conditions varied, the commitment to safety first never did. The whole Harbor Dive team consistently showed patience, empathy and a true passion for the sport. Our certification process and experience was outstanding and stoked our interest to dive again. I highly recommend the team at Harbor Dive and if you are thinking about starting...jump right in with them! read more

I just finished getting PADI certified by Micheal Short and Harbor Dive and I couldn't be happier. Micheal was very experienced and knowledgeable. He was patient and calm, helping each student complete each task. I never felt nervous even in the cold and unfamiliar water of Monterey. He spent lunches and dinners with us answering every question and giving us tips on how to be a better diver. I can't wait for my trip and big thanks for Micheal. Harbor Dive helped outfit us with our gear. My boyfriend's mask didn't fit well when we got into the pool and Harbor dive exchanged it for one that did. We look forward to using these for years. Thanks!!! read more

I bought an Oceanic Pro Plus 2 dive computer from Harbor Dive Center five years ago. That experience was positive - they were helpful, non-pressuring, etc . Last week I took it back to them to get it a new battery. I also took my regulators and BC in for regular annual servicing. I take the annual service process seriously because I often dive in remote locations where, if my equipment fails, my diving is ended for the trip. I also don't believe in skimping on my life support system. The guy behind the desk argued with me a bit about the battery - tried to talk me into not replacing it if testing showed it was still good - I told him, No, I wanted a new battery regardless, as it was five years old. He finally agreed. So I left the gear there, and was told to come back in a week. They even called me to let me know it was ready, right on time. Sounds great, right? I picked it up, and later that day I was in Santa Clara at Diver Dan's looking at gear, and I see that the Atomic regulators have this uberly nifty ball joint at the second stage, so I ask the guy behind the counter if he could install one of those on my Scubapro. He said sure. I handed him my regulators, and he looks at them and blinks and goes, "Uh, when was this cleaned last?" I told him I'd just picked it all up from service. He gave me a really funny look, then said they had not been cleaned and pointed to several corrosion spots. Then he looked inside. Long story short, Harbor Dive didn't service the regulators as I'd requested - they'd just replaced the purge diaphragm on my octo. Because I'm leaving for the Malvides in a week, there's no time left to get my regulators overhauled. I ended up buying a new first stage and second stage at Dan's, but my octo and the Air II on my BC will have to go as-is, with just a "visual inspection" from Harbor. Harbor's error cost me $899 (ok, so I bought the Atomic), and I'm not going to have that special and uberly important peace-of-mind feeling about my gear that's so important. It also turned out that while Harbor did replace the battery in the computer, according to guy at Dan's, the replacement battery was at least five years old (he could tell this from the purple color). I had Dan's replace the purple battery with one out of new stock. I won't be bringing my equipment back here for maintenance. read more

Great customer service, good deals on gear when you certify with them too. I ended up buying all my gear and bags through them. I enjoyed it so much, I went back afterwards for a refresher before vacation. read more

I came to Harbor Dive in search of regulated, professional instruction and have not been disappointed. The caliber at which this center operates is head and shoulders above other shops I encountered on my search. Michael and Session, the instructors at Harbor Dive, take the time to ensure ebery facet of your course is understood and performed properly. "Fast is slow and slow is good" rings especially true when one is underwater. With patience and dedication, Harbor Dive's instructors are committed to shaping conscious and informed divers. This is a a breath of fresh air in relation to the assembly line approach too often adopted by instructors in the industry. The equipment that lives at Harbor Dive reflects its dedication to quality. Apart from stocking only the best and most reliable gear Harbor Dive boasts variety. If you've got questions about performance specifics, Michael has an answer. When a student buys gear at Harbor Dive, time is taken to ensure proper fit, even if that means cycling through every mask and fin on the shelves. The rental gear is also well maintained and cared for. Harbor Dive is synonymous with consistency. Since 1989 this shop has been providing quality instruction, gear and maintenance of gear. I'm thrilled to see how the center will develop in the future. Whether you are looking to dive into the sport for the first time, need your trusty gear serviced or are an experienced diver seeking to hone your craft, Harbor Dive can accommodate. read more

Just got Open Water certified with Harbor Dive and it was a great experience. We went diving in Monterey Bay. There were other dive companies all around us at the dive site, but it was clear that Harbor Dive was the best one. Dev was my instructor and he was fantastic! read more

Great selection of stuff, including some great deals on end-of-run items. Stephanie was super helpful, and very good at visually sizing us, so we didn't have to try things on at random. read more

I was doing my Open Water Certification with Harbor Dive Center, and the whole staff was knowledgeable and amazing. They really know what they are doing. Nina and Stephanie helped me find the best equipments that suite me and were very responsive on questions/need during the entire experience. The dive instructors Michael and Day not only taught us the lessons, but I am more amazed on how much I can trust them to keep me safe anytime despite my lack of skills especially during the dive. I was the worst especially when it came to oxygen consumption, and despite having to take care of everyone else, Michael was amazingly aware of my tank reading all the time (way more so than I was) that he was able to make adjustments to turn back if needed, and that alone show how much trust you can place on them on diving where safety is crucial. I strongly recommend Harbor Dive to learn how to dive right and safe. Chong Lim read more

Stephanie (and Butch) helped us with our paperwork and answered questions we had about gear and the sport. Excellent customer service! Mike and Daniel were our instructors for the scuba discovery course. We went over safety instructions then went straight to the fun part! They were accommodating and always kept an eye on the students. Overall, we had a blast and cannot wait to sign up for the open water dive class. We're not considering certification anywhere else but Harbor Dive! read more

Reactivated & rejuvenated by a great team! I've been away from diving for over 20 years, but with an upcoming vacation to Cabo, I decided to complete the PADI Reactivate course. I'm so happy that I found Harbor Dive Center. Michael was very helpful with getting me re-equipped with new scuba gear and signing me up with the class. He was very knowledgeable & nice. Session was my dive instructor, he had an excellent sense of humor and made the class very comfortable as they learned - I was combined with a group of students doing their Open Water certification. Nina was simply awesome getting me comfortable in the water again. After the classroom time, I was separated from the Open Water group. Nina put me through the paces 1:1 - she was very patient refreshing my skills with buddy check, mask clearing and buoyancy, etc. Looking forward to getting back into diving again and will be back to Harbor for more lessons. Thanks HDC! read more

Today, I officially became a scuba diver! From the pool to Monterey, I wanted to stop after almost every dive. However, the calmness and patience of both, Sression and Michael got me through each of the sites. I couldn't ask for better instructors. By the time I made it to my last dive, I felt confident that I wouldn't die, I knew what I was doing and was comfortable floating at the bottom of the sea. Thank you, Michael, Sression, Jack, and the two ladies whose name I didn't catch while at the pool! I am very much looking forward to continuing my education, acquiring new skills, and all of my equipment procurement with Harbor Dive! P.S. Take Michael's advice on purchases. Worth every dime! read more

It was a little last minute but I had decided that I wanted to go to Cuba for my birthday this year. One of the things I wanted to do while there, was to scuba dive in the Gardens of the Queen. I researched into the various dive shops and even met with instructors to find the best fit of service and teaching style. I found it with Harbor Dive. I have issues with businesses not being straight forward about costs, time commitments, etc. Which was one of the biggest reasons I chose Harbor Dive, is the manager's straight forward approach as to how he manages the shop. Nothing unexpected or hidden, everything's out on the table. It was a breath of fresh air after the other shops... Same cost money wise, too. Just no games! I opted for private instruction since I was on a time crunch, and as it turns out Michael the manager, is an instructor as well! We took A LOT of time to find the gear that was best for MY needs. All told, I spent around $300 for my personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, gloves & boots). I was also fitted for the pool and rental gear. And Harbor Dive's rental gear is also top notch and in great condition. FYI- dive shops make their money off of the gear sales, so don't hesitate to buy local! Not only do you get expertise, you get a real place to bring your gear if you run into issues. The confined water dives took one day. Michael met me at my friend's house to use their pool. His instruction is all about safety first, he clearly explained and then demonstrated what skills I was expected to know. There was a little confusion with the hand signals initially, but he was patient and went over them until I understood. The open water dives were over a weekend, in Monterey. Moving from the pool to the ocean was a bit nerve racking. Michael could sense my trepidation and was able to calm me down enough to move forward. Don't get me wrong, I still got butterflies in my stomach, but not enough to stop me. His instruction style became really clear as to why he teaches the way he does. Yes, it's a foreign environment for which humans are not made. BUT, if proper safety is practiced, it's an AMAZING world you can visit! And let me tell you, Monterey, Pacific Ocean diving, are SO WORTH getting a little chilly for! I am so glad that I bought my gear, because I'll be definitely be going back! I thought tropical waters were where it's at, but I fell in love with Monterey... So, if you're looking to learn how to become a mermaid (or merman), I cannot more highly recommend Harbor Dive. Up next, Advanced Open Water! read more

I've been buying my dive gear and getting it serviced from Harbor Dive Center for over 20 years. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about dive instruction and equipment. They are meticulous when servicing gear and have given me excellent advice in selecting gear whether it's a new mask, wet suit or skin or a computer. They have a great passion for their work and it shows in how they relate to their customers. If you want a store where you have a relationship with the staff and can trust their advice, this is definitely the best store. read more

I took the PADI open water course through Harbor Dive and instructor Michael Short on 11/10-11/11 and 11/17-11/18. Michael was a fantastic instructor. He patiently explained and re-explained concepts and practical skills, and worked with each student to correct any mistakes. One thing that really impressed me was his ability to convey his enthusiasm for the sport while still emphasizing safety skills and proper procedures (these being the most important takeaways from the course after all). Finally, you want to be able to have fun as well as learn during the course, and Michael and the rest of the class group were fun people to be around for the weekend. Harbor Dive Center itself was very friendly and the staff was helpful in getting me set up with rental gear (which was in good condition and didn't present any problems) and assisting me with snorkeling gear selection. I look forward to visiting Harbor Dive and training with Michael again. read more

Not much of a Yelp reviewer - as in, I've never written a review before - but I had such a wonderful experience at Harbor Dive Center that I just had to share. I've always wanted to get open water certified and recently decided to go with Harbor Dive Center for the PADI e-training and confined water dives. I got a little overwhelmed at the confined water dives and left mid-session, heading back to the shop. Michael was a very calming presence and convinced me to regroup and give it another shot, and offered to take me to the pool to finish up the dives the following week. It was wonderful working with him and I am so appreciative of the extra time he devoted to get me through the confined water dives. I would give six stars if I could. Highly recommend Harbor Dive Center! read more

I just received my basic certification from Harbor Dive Center. The teacher, Michael Short, was great. The class (including elearning, one saturday 8-5 in the pool and Sat/Sun in Monterey in the ocean) was always very clear and straightforward. The PADI materials were very good, and Michael's teaching style was very focused, without hyperbole. This made it very easy for me to focus on understanding and executing each of the skills. With Michael the classes were like climbing a ladder - each step was small and incremental, but at the end you found you'd made a progression from the Sausalito dive shop with a coffee in hand to 40' below Monterey Bay wearing a scuba rig and chasing fish and seals. My class included a 13yo (unattended) and a 10yo (with his mother). Both did fine and seemed to enjoy the class. I originally chose Harbor Dive Center because they had a single day in-pool program. On a weekend with light traffic it was a 20-25 minute drive from San Francisco. I plan to do my advanced class with Michael and to get my kids certified this summer. read more

Great training and very strong on safety. A good range of equipment and we had new BCs and regs for our ocean dives. Michael gave fabulous advice, particularly on the purchase of gear, and Dev took us for our certification dives. He was super enthusiast and encouraging. We were blessed with good visibility in Monterey and our mascot for the weekend was Butch the mighty Lab. read more

Good selection of merchandise and great service added up to an $1100 sale for this location. The man running the shop "Michael" was knowledgable and patient as he helped my son and I with Wet Suits. He explained the differences in cold water diving suits and we ended up each buying wet suites, a hooded vest, gloves, and accessories. He matched other sale prices and treated us as valued customers. We got product we want and an education. I highly recommend Harbor Dive Center and look forward to joining them on some dives in the future. read more

My 13 year old daughter and I just went through their open water certification program. Michael, Nina, Stephanie, Dave and the whole team were amazing -- helpful, friendly and patient with all of our questions. They provided expert guidance on selecting and fitting our personal equipment and the rental equipment. Michael's training on land, in the pool and at San Carlos Beach was exemplary. He is patient, careful and very focused on safety -- and he makes it a fun experience. The whole program is well organized with good communication and planning throughout. All of the instructors were very supportive and encouraging of my daughter which she really appreciated. I highly recommend Harbor Dive Center to anyone interested in obtaining SCUBA certification. We are looking forward to taking their advanced courses in the future. read more

I had a glowing experience getting SCUBA certified at Harbor Dive. My instructor, Michael is an exceptional teacher. Their prices seemed higher to me than the other options. Whether or not that is the case, it was worth every penny. read more